Expert recommendations and insider tips for first-time visitors and locals alike from ARTĚL’s founder, Karen Feldman, who has lived in Prague since 1994. Click on the links below for detailed reviews – from Feldman’s own unique perspective – of all the best that Prague has to offer...

5 Theater Cafés Worth a Visit

Cafés are an essential part of Czech culture and while visitors to Prague shouldn’t miss the grand dames—Savoy, Louvre, and Slavia—if you’re looking for a kavárna with more of a local feel, look no farther than Prague’s theater cafés, many of which are open daily before, during, and after performances. Some of my favorites can be found at:

Rudolfinum

Home to Dvořák Hall, one of Europe’s oldest concert venues, and Galerie Rudolfinum, among Prague’s premiere venues for modern art, this neo-renaissance building is an architectural gem. The bright, airy café (enter on the museum side) has plenty of cushy seating and an extensive menu of drinks, light meals, and desserts—the cheesecake is to die for—as well as free black coffee. Whether you go for a performance, an exhibit, or simply to ogle the grand Ceremony Hall opposite the cafe, be sure to pop in for a quiet bite or drink.

Divadlo Na zábradlí

This small theater is big on historic significance—Václav Havel debuted his first play, The Garden Party, here. (Na zábradlí regularly stages Havel’s work with English subtitles.) The café, playfully appointed with mismatched furniture and black-and-white head shots of past and present performers, offers Czech beer and wine, fresh traditional open-face sandwiches (chlebíčky), and fabulous people-watching opportunities: Thespians congregate here before and after performances.

Divadlo DISK

Chock full of souvenir shops and slow-moving tourists, Karlova Street, part of Prague’s Royal Way from Powder Tower to Prague Castle, seriously lacks decent dining options. The café at Divadlo DISK, the Theater Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts, is a real find for the area. Tasty baked goods like pumpkin bundt cake and savory tarte flambée and a wide range of coffee drinks are served by students amid funky acrylic seating for a very drama-school vibe.

Divadlo Nová scéna

The National Theater’s Nová scéna (New Scene) annex, devoted to alternative theater performances, also houses one of Prague’s hippest cafes. The atmosphere is liveliest at night; snag a window seat overlooking bustling Národní for one of the city’s best street views, or settle into a retro leather chair to eavesdrop on local scenesters. Serving locally roasted coffee, panini, fresh deli salads, and, my current favorite cocktail, fresh-ginger-infused vodka.

Divadlo Kolowrat

A bit of a cheat as it’s not exactly a café, but I’d be remiss not to include this unassuming pub in the basement of the Kolowrat, the National Theatre’s smallest branch. Serving what has to be Old Town’s most reasonable lunch special (a goulash and a pint of beer recently set me back about 100 CZK), an evening visit to Divadlo Klub usually promises an intermission-time glimpse of the actors and opera singers who perform here and at the neighboring Estates Theatre—in full costume.